Chapter 21 - She's Back

LUNA ASTERBELLE's POV

My body was numb. It felt like I had no authority to either move or speak, as the only thing that I could do was think and question myself, where the heck am I? The last scene that I can recall was that I was together with Andrea's boyfriend who claimed to have an interest in me.

There were about two people who's on their way here as I heard their footsteps getting closer. And after a minute, the door blasted open which triggered a shockwave to my body, returning my possession.

"Mr. Asterbelle... Mrs. Asterbelle... H-how am I back here? I-I didn't ---"

"Joseph brought you here," dad said with a blank expression, which made me widen my eyes. "How does it feel to get betrayed by someone who you thought you could've trusted?" he asked with a slight curl on his lips, as if to purposely make me ponder upon the decision I've made.

Mrs. Asterbelle showed no signs of pity. She went to the monitor beside me and that was the only moment when I realized that I had numerous tubes connected to different parts of my body. It might have been the cause of my numbness a while ago. She adjusted the dosage, then told me that it was for my health.

"What? Weren't you planning to kill me? Why bother with my treatment?" I asked.

Mom waved her hands to imply that my question was redundant. "Joseph tricked you. And one more thing, trust no one, Luna. Not even your dad or me. How many times must I repeat that for you to understand that this world doesn't work just like how you imagine it to? And also, what your dad said earlier meant no harm. He's just making you know the feeling of betrayal," she explained. "Joseph was ordered by the alpha himself to search for your whereabouts as he sensed that your lifespan was tremendously dropping. Joseph was also the one who volunteered and suggested bringing you back here, in case that you're injured or whatever," she added.

My vision went blurry as I got teary-eyed, paired with a grin. "W-why b-bother?"

"Don't smile, Luna. Did you already forget how much we're loathing you even at this very moment? We're merely pretending for the sake of Joseph. And based on your dad's story, I'm pretty sure that you can see what our aura looks like right now," Mrs. Asterbelle warned me.

True enough. Both of their auras were burning with intense bloodlust. I can't even guarantee my own safety here.

"What's the purpose of my recovery then?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "You'd be recruited by a skilled hunter sometime soon. It'd be troublesome if you won't be in your best condition once the promised day comes," she replied.

I let out a sigh of frustration as none of my queries were actually answered in a straightforward manner. My curiosity just kept on piling up, one after another.

Mr. Asterbelle lent me a bag that was stuffed with several types of weapons. And as I was browsing each one of those, I picked up something that felt off, as if it was dragging my attention to it. "What is this?" I mumbled to myself.

It was a silver pistol that wasn't loaded with ammos yet. There was a logo stamped on its side; a crown that was in the middle of two clashing swords. It was familiar to my sight, although I have no clue as to where I first encountered the same symbol.

"That's over a decade ago. I didn't know that you still kept it hidden with you," Mrs. Asterbelle said to her husband. "That logo belongs to the organization who would be taking you in, Luna. Even if we're not fond of you right now, it's still necessary for us to know that you're residing in the hands of innocent and pure people who wouldn't dare to lay a hand on you, despite knowing what your blood can do," she muttered.

Today's the first day that I witnessed her being talkative as Mr. Asterbelle was more likely to be rowdy with his lectures about me.

I chose to remain silent, knowing that my queries would still be ignored. I don't think that I can properly do what would be expected of me there, but this might be the only chance for me to enhance my current skills and develop a whole lot more. The mere thought of training made me remember Eman, who still hasn't shown himself. I was even anticipating for him to demonstrate his full potential.

"Follow me." Mr. Asterbelle broke the silence as he finally spoke, then left the room.

I clicked my tongue as I hurried to remove all of the tubes, with the assistance of my mom. My father was nowhere in sight, so I relied on the traces left from his aura to follow its track.

***

Black-tinted glasses hurdled my pathway, leaving me with no choice other than to break through it in order to cross. The sounds of it shattering as it fell to the ground was indeed satisfying.

Across the path stood Mr. Asterbelle who crossed his arms in front of his chest after he saw me. "You actually passed the first trial, huh?" He slowly clapped his hands. "I thought that you'd keep me waiting for about an hour before you reach this place. Though, it seems like you've already mastered how to take advantage of your vision."

I smirked for a second, thinking that there wasn't any need for me to keep on respecting them as either my parents or the leaders of the pack. "So? Now that I'm here, what do you intend to do to me in a dimension where only the two of us exist?"

A drop of sweat rolled down from my forehead when Mr. Asterbelle let out an evil laughter without removing his gaze on me. Those hard chuckles of his made me shiver as it kept on echoing all throughout the surroundings. I had to cover both of my ears as I shut my eyes, hindering me from noticing the arrival of another person.

"I finally found you, Luna Asterbelle."